A program that brings UCSF scientists into San Francisco's public schools and sponsors internships for the brightest high school students in the city has won a presidential award for its mentoring programs in science, math and engineering, the White House announced.

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring comes with a $25,000 prize, which will be awarded at a White House ceremony this year.

Originated nearly 25 years ago, UCSF's Science, Engineering & Health Partnership, known as SEP, selects 20 high school students each summer to work with mentors on biological research projects at the university's biomedical research laboratories.

According to Rebecca Smith, director of the SEP project, a long-range study shows that most mentoring students are disadvantaged and come from families where neither parent has a college degree; 92 percent enroll in college; 76 percent major in science; and 87 percent have moved on to graduate school.

The partnership runs many programs aimed at helping public school students of all grades, and 250 UCSF scientists each year volunteer to help teachers improve science lessons and stimulate an enthusiasm for science among pupils.